The Alfa Romeo Junior is finally in Mzansi. The Italian brand’s very first-ever fully electric car is a sub-compact SUV that is simply dripping with sex appeal. Not the first time for an Alfa of course, so this is expected. We drove the range-topping Elettrica Veloce version for a week and the came out with some views.
While sub-compact sounds quite tiny, the Junior is actually 4.17 metres long, 1.78m wide and 1.5m tall, which is par for the course in its segment. Stellantis – parent company of Alfa Romeo – has used existing technology found in the Group to ensure the Junior has the best of its world available for customers. But first, let’s look at the design for a bit.
The front end features a black front grille (Alfa calls it Progresso grille), with a blacked-out Alfa Romeo emblem partially carved onto the familiar nose. A casual look will not do; one has to take a closer look to see it. All the while a black and brushed metallic logo rests on the bonnet. Bladed LED headlights and daytime running lights blend in with the piano black bits, providing a complex but attractive look.
Moving to the side profile we see a Junior reminiscent of a wave to the naked eye, as if it is wavy. The roof is black on the “white Sempione” body, rising from the bonnet to the C-pillar, where below the rear door handles appear. Alfa has reinterpreted the familiar brand wheel (they call it the Venti wheel) into the Junior, giving it a 20-inch circumference and 225/40 R20 Michelin rubber. Those red branded brake calipers give the side profile added character. So does the flat red line at the bottom of front and rear doors. A lovely touch on the C-pillar is the embossed brand logo which you can barely see but can feel with your fingers.
As for the rear end, the LED lights are tightly integrated into a piano black bar running across the car’s width and dropping on the sides like a double blade. A small wiper sits atop the black rear glass and a black bumper with another red element completes the scene at the bottom.
We especially enjoyed the interior with some quirky features that only Alfa can produce. Firstly, the front seats are a work of art, with gaps in between them, an Alfa emblem on the headrest, some Alcantara on the arms and red stitching. While these Sabelt Corsa seats may don’t look it, they are quite comfortable, in a sporty kind of way. They probably look even more dramatic from behind. Round elements like air vents and part of the instrument cluster hark back to classic Alfa. Alcantara and piano black finishes give the Junior a glossy, classy and yet sporty visual.
That flat-bottomed steering wheel is partly covered in leather and Alcantara, with bits of piano black and alloy metal. Interestingly the centre console – mainly covered in piano black and Alcantara – has an “Engine Start/ Stop” button, considering the Junior is fully-powered by electricity.
Speaking of the powertrain. Alfa Romeo installed a 54 kWh and an electric motor placed on the front axle to assist the car to pull on its front wheels. Maximum power output is 207kW and 345Nm of torque. The brand claims a 0 – 100km/h sprint time of 5.9 seconds for this model. Top speed is rated at 200km/h, which seems to arrive earlier than expected.
Of course the main question is about the range. As previously stated, the Junior Veloce is a full-electric car with no petrol or diesel engine whatsoever. Pure electric. When full it will give a range of roughly 340km, which means one can drive for that distance – give or take depending on driving style, weather and other factors – without recharging.
On paper it is enough to drive one between Johannesburg and major centres around the country, including Durban, Polokwane, Bloemfontein, Gqeberha and all the way to Cape Town. How? Because the major freeways connecting all these cities have chargers located along them. Fast chargers too. At destination one can plug in with the supplied portable charger that sits in the boot.
Take-off is quite instantaneous, as expected of an EV, with a prod on the accelerator all that is needed. No hesitation, just a slight spin of the wheel is it seeks to establish traction in milliseconds. The car then gets going rapidly. Steering is quite precise, very impressive and fun. Electric cars don’t make an engine sound, but the Junior Veloce offers a distinctive electric vibe. It accompanies the velocity pound for pound, as once gains momentum. Stopping power is pretty strong too, thanks to those powerful brakes.
For those who seek a new way of celebrating the iconic Alfa Romeo brand, Junior Veloce offers a range of thrills, practical applications and a real sense of Alfisti.
